Lasting machine



NOV. 9, 1954 QUlNN 2,693,606

LASTING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet l 336 Inventor .gzfi Edward Quinn z 7!, r v I I I E. QUINN LASTING MACHINE Nov. 9, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 14, 1952 rn mim n 0 d m i k B hisA' E. QUINN LASTING MACHINE Nov. 9, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 14, 1952 w Inventor Edward Quinn NOV. 9, 1954 UlN 2,693,606

LASTING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 Inven tor E. QUINN LASTING MACHINE Nov. 9, 1954 e sheets-sheet 5 Filed March 14, 1952 1954 E. QUINN 2,693,606

LASTING MACHINE Filed Marcfi 14, 1.952

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor .E'dward Quinn United States Patent LASTING MACHINE Edward Quinn, Saugus, Mass., assignorto United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 14, 1952, Serial N 0. 276,569 26 Claims. '(Cl. IQ-+1) This invention relates to machines for lasting shoes, and more particularly to a machine for progressively lasting with an adhesive. It will be understood, however, that features of this invention are not limited to use in machines for lasting with an adhesive or in a machine of the exact mechanical construction herein disclosed.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved lasting machine which 'is elficient and dependable in operation yet requires a minimum amount of operator skill and labor. With this object in view, and in accordance with features of the invention, the herein illustrated machine has novel means for tensioning the stock to be lasted and for wiping the lasting margin of the tensioned stock inwardly over and pressing it against the bottom of the shoe being lasted. More particularly, the novel tensioning means comprises a plurality of lasting grippers mounted for continuous revolution about a common axis and adapted to operate in succession to seize, tension and release different portions of the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted, while the wiping means include a wiping member associated with each of the grippers and similarly mounted for revolution about said axis, the wipers operating in succession to lay the lasting margin of the stock, as it is released by a gripper, inwardly over and to press it against the bottom of the shoe. While each of said grippers is seizing and tensioning the stock it moves in an arcuate path thereby imparting to the stock a component of stress tending to feed the shoe. Thus as these arcuately moving grippers successively seize, tension and release different portions of the stockthe shoe will be fed along thereby. Preferably, and as in the herein illustrated machine, four grippers and four wipers are provided, the grippers being disposed at angles of 90 apart around their common axis of rotation while the wipers are similarly disposed midway (45") between the grippers.

In order to facilitate the tensioning action of the grippers each gripper is adapted to seize a portion of the stock and to move in a direction heightwise of the shoe being lasted at a time when the gripper, moving in its arcuate path, is traveling outwardly toward the marginal edge of the shoe bottom. The shoe being lasted is positioned in a widthwise direction relatively to the revolving grippers and wipers by means of an edge guide roll and this guide roll is so located that the path of movement of'the grippers extends slightly beyond the marginal edge of the shoe bottom. Hence each gripper, after seizing a portion of the stock and applying a tensioning pull thereto will move slightly beyond the marginal edge of the shoe bottom before it draws the lasting margin of the tensioned stock inwardly over the shoe bottom. Hence each gripper'has a tendency to separate the stock from the marginal edge of a shoe bottom member, for example an insole, to which it may have been accidentally cemented. Also by thus drawing the stock outwardly and upwardly away from the marginal edge of the'shoe bottom member, just before it is drawn inwardly over the edge of the shoe, a more effective tensioning of the stock is attained.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the illustrated machine is provided with means whereby each gripper, immediately after initially closing on the stock 'to be lasted, is caused to obtain a more effective purchase on the lasting marginfthereby minimizing the possibility of loss in stock tensioning by reason of possible 2,693,606 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 2 rebound or slippage of the grippers. For this purpose, as soon as a pair of gripper jaws has initially seized a portion of the lasting margin, a secondary or extra gripping force is applied thereto, one of the gripper jaws being urged toward the other by mechanism which, in the exemplary machine, comprises a member timed for engagement, at the appropriate instant, with a cooperative roll mounted on said one jaw.-

A further feature of the invention relates to the novel means provided for automatically slitting widthwise, the tensioned marginal stock as it is wiped inwardly over, and pressed against, the shoe bottom in the shank area. The stock being lasted in this curved portion, even though precemented, normally tends to rise from the shoe bottom because of longitudinal stress. To enhance conformity of the lasting'margin in the shank area with the shoe bottom, the slitting action is attained, in accordance with this feature and as illustrated, by a slitter knife carried by each wiper member and arranged to project from an operating face thereof. Of special utility when operating on heavy upper stock, as in some moccasin types of footwear for example, the overdrawn lasting margin, if raised from the shoe bottom due to longitudinal tension or otherwise, is penetrated and slit by the knifes cutting edge as it travels inwardly and while the stock is being wiped from the marginal edge of the shoe bottom. The succession of marginal slits effected by the several wipercarried knives thus permit the stock to lie fiat on, and be pressed against, the shank area of the shoe bottom, the cutting edge not acting on other marginal portions unless they, for some unusual reason, also require this conforming treatment. I I

Preferably, and in the herein illustrated machine, the several grippers and wipers are held in elevated inoperative positions and, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, means. are provided for successively 'releasing the grippers and wipers for movement to their operative positions, in response to the presentation to the machine of a. shoe to be lasted. More particularly, the grippers and wipers are held in their elevated inoperative positions by means of latches, and mechanism, including an idle roll, adapted to be engaged and elevated by the bottom of a shoe presented to the machine, is provided for tripping these latches. Similarly, the edge gage of the herein illustrated machine is normally held in a retracted inoperative position by the aforementioned mechanism and is projected to its operative position in response to elevation of 'the idle roll by a shoe as it is presented to the machine.

The above and other features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of one illustrative embodiment thereof, when considered together with the accompanying drawings. In the drawmgs:

Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of the head portion of a lasting machine, in inoperative condition, in which the features of this invention are embodied;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1 when inoperative condition, on an enlarged scale, and with parts broken away, as viewed from the side opposite to that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on the line III--III of Fig. 1 and, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the relationship of operating elements and certain actuating means, this view also being enlarged;

Fig. 4 is a view in vertical section, taken on the line IY-IV of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows; 7

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on the line VV of Fig. 1 and, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing other actuating means for the operating elements on the same scale as Fig. 3, this view being rotated in a counterclockwise direction from Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section, taken on the line VI--VI of Fig. 5 and, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the mounting of a portion of the parts shown therein;

Fig. 7 is a detached view in elevation, and on an enlarged scale, of a wiper bar assembly shown only partially in other views;

.tive grippers and wipers.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of the lower end of the wiper bar assembly seen in Fig. 7 and showing the mounting of the slitter knife;

Fig. 9 is a view in elevation and, on an enlarged scale, of a gripper bar assembly, shown only partially in other views;

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation of a portion of a gripper bar assembly and associated mechanism for lifting the gripper jaws while in open condition;

Fig. 11 is a view in elevation illustrating a pair of gripper jaws about to close on a lasting margin and showing some of the associated elements in operative relation to a shoe indicated in transverse section;

Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 11 but showing the elements at a later stage of operation in a cycle when the gripper jaws are closed;

Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view of some of the operating elements in relation to a shoe bottom and lasting margin, a wiper completing slitting action on one marginal segment as grippers overdraw a succeeding segment;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view indicating a final stage of the lasting operation;

Fig. 15 is a view in elevation of a wiper, in the operative position shown in Fig. 13 and viewed from the side opposite to that in Fig. 8, showing an overdrawn margin in the shank being slit and pressed against the shoe bottom by the inwardly moving wiper;

Fig. 16 is a plan view of means provided for actuating certain parts shown in Fig 3; and

Fig. 17 is a plan view partly in section taken on the line XVII-XVII of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

The illustrated machine comprises a plurality of grippers generally designated 20 (Fig. 9) and a plurality of wipers generally designated 22 (Fig. 7). These wipers and grippers are associated with a main drive shaft 24 and arranged to travel, or revolve, in a closed circular path. The main drive shaft 24 is supported on a frame 26, and is driven continuously (counterclockwise as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3) during operation of the machine by a motor 28 (Fig. 1). As the grippers 20 and wipers 22 revolve, the grippers are actuated in predetermined sequence to tension, overdraw and release successive portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted and, as each successive portion of the stock thus tensioned and overdrawn is released by a gripper, it is immediately wiped inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom and pressed thereagainst by a cooperating wiper. As each gripper 20 tensions the stock heightwise of a shoe, a stress is also exerted due to movement of the gripper in its circular path, tending to feed the shoe and thereby to present an adjacent portion of the lasting margin of the stock for the action of the next succeeding gripper 20 and wiper 22.

The operation of the grippers 20 and wipers 22 is controlled, in the illustrative machine, by the presentation of a shoe to be lasted, the shoe having, for example, an upper U, sock lining S and platform cover M, assembled on a last with a platform P, as shown in Figs. 11-15 inclusive. When the shoe bottom is moved into operative position in the machine, an idler roll 30 displaced by contact with the shoe bottom acts through a solenoid 32 (Fig. l) and linkage shifted thereby to displace the individual grippers and wipers from their raised inoperative paths and, at appropriate instants in their respective cycles, to move them to lower operative levels wherein the grippers 20 and wipers 22, at predetermined times, are actuated heightwise of the shoe and axially of the drive shaft 24 by cams arranged to cooperate with cam followers mounted on the respec- The latter are urgedltoward their operative levels, and cooperative relation between said cam followers and actuating cams is assured, by a tension spring associated with each gripper and wiper. Upon removal of the shoe from its operative position in the machine, the solenoid 32 is deenergized and said cams act against the tension springs to return the grippers 20 and wipers 22 to their normal inoperative circular paths.

During the operation of the machine, the shoe being progressively lasted is held in the hands of the operator and is positioned in a widthwise direction relatively to the grippers 20 and wipers 22, by engagement with an edge gage roll 34, and in a heightwise direction, by engagement of its bottom P with the lower end or foot of 4 the drive shaft 24. A fixed plow 36 also aids in positioning the shoe bottom heightwise, this plow being arranged in advance of, and at the same level as the foot of the shaft 24 for contact with the shoe bottom and serving to erect successive portions of the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted, i. e. cover M, for engagement by the grippers.

An enlarged lower portion 38 of the drive shaft 24 (Fig. 2) is provided with eight circumferentially spaced guideways or slots extending axially of the shaft, four of the slots being spaced by and of a size slidably to accommodate the respective grippers 20. The wipers 22, as will hereinafter be described, are also spaced by 90 and slidably accommodated, respectively, in the remaining four slots. Each of the four grippers 20 is similarly constructed for'operation in like manner, and inasmuch as each of the four wipers 22 is also similarly constructed for operation in a like manner, it will suflice if their description be limited to one gripper and one wiper, corresponding parts bearing like reference characters in the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, each gripper 20 comprises a member 40 of U-shaped cross-section to the lower end of which a gripper jaw 42 is fixedly secured. Slidably nested in, but extending from the member 40 is a jaw actuating bar 44, its upper end carrying a gripper lift cam roll 46 for a purpose to be explained, and its lower end having a pin 48 for cooperating with a cam surface 50 formed on a gripper jaw 52 pivotally mounted on the its lowermost position, a tension spring 62 has its ends respectively connected to a plate 64, secured to the member 40, and to one of two retainer rings 66, 66 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured by screws 68 to the shaft portion 38. Downward movement of the bar 44 with respect to the member 40, to close the jaws 42, 52 by interaction of the pin 48 and the surface 50, is yieldingly urged by a tension spring 70 having its upper end aifixed to the barand its lower end fast to the plate 64.

In order to retain the jaws 42, 52 in their open, raised and inoperative positions, while rotating about the fixed vertical axis of the drive shaft24, a spring pressed latch 72 is pivotally mounted on the plate 64 and is biased to extend thru an opening in the member 40 and into a slot '76 in the bar 44 (Fig. 10) when the latter has been raised to open the jaw 52. For closing the jaws .42, 52 at the appropriate instant in their cycle, the latch 72 is unseated from the slot 76 by engagement of an ear 78 (Fig. 3) mounted on the latch 72 with a finger 80. The car 78 is adjustably secured to the latch, being provided with an arcuate slot for receiving a setscrew 82 that extends into the latch. The finger 80 is shiftable into and out of the path of the ear 78 by means subsequently described, the ear tripping the latch 72 just before the jaws 42, 52 move outwardly in their circular path and away from the shoe bottom edge. Downward movement of the released bar 44 relative to the member 40 is effected by the spring 70 to close the jaws upon the margin M to be lasted as indicated in Fig. 12.

Since there is a tendency for the jaws 42, 52 to rebound from some types of stock upon initial closure, an extra closing force is provided, by novel means about to be described, to prevent the margin M from slipping or being released from the grip of the jaws. .A fourarmed wheel 84 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) is rotatably mounted for timed cooperation with a cam roll 86 mounted on :1 lug 88 secured to an upper portion'of the bar 44. Each arm of the wheel 84 acts, successively engaging one of the four rolls 86, to force its respective bar 44 downwardly relatively to the adjacent member 40, the impact of the engagement causing the pin 48 to exert an added closing force on the surface 50 at the proper instant. Preferably, the gripper closing finger 80 is spaced about 10 ahead of the point of contact of the arms of the wheel 84 with the rolls 86. The wheel 84 is rotated continuously by the motor 28 and is periodically moved vertically, by driving mechanism later to be described, to effect the successive engagements with the rolls 86.

Having a tight grip on -'a portion of the lasting margin M, the jaws 42, '52 move a'rcuately outward from the edge of the platform P and also upwardly therefrom to tension the stock to be lasted heightwise of the shoe. Such heightwise movement of the closed jaws 42, 52 is effected by the cooperation of a roll 90 sup ported by the block 60 with an 'arcuate cam '92 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5), the latter being yieldingly mounted for vertical movement into the path of the several rolls 90, upon will later be described. As the member 40 swings arcuately away from the edge of the platform P, the seized portion of the lasting margin M is freed from interference of any adhesive accidentally misapplied on the margin and/or platform edge face, and heightwise tensioning of the lasting margin, by the upward movement of the member 40 and closed jaws 42, 52, is facilitated while the danger of causing a wrinkled and unsightly condition in the lasted margin is avoided. After the roll 90 has been yieldingly lifted by the cam 92 to tension the lasting margin heightwise of the shoe, the closed jaws 42, 52 (Figs. 13) arcuately move inwardly toward, and then over, the platform P and, in response to the reactionary pull of the marginal stock being overd'rawn, the jaws are permitted by the shape of the cam 90 to move downwardly until they are opened or the stock is released from tension. It is to be noted that the arcuate movement of the successive jaws imparts to the lasting margin M a stress component tending to feed the shoe in a direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 13.

For opening the jaws 42, 52 to release the overdrawn lasting margin M, a cam 94 (Figs. 2 and 5), arcuate and wedge shaped, is so disposed that its upper face will be successively engaged by the rolls 86, and its lower face will be successively engaged by the rolls 90 at the appropriate instants in their respective cycles. The cam 94 is adjustably secured heigh'twise by a bolt 96 extending through a vertical slot in a bracket 98, the latter being adjustably secured circumferentially of the shaft 24- by clamping bolts 1'00, 100 which extend through horizontal slots in the bracket 98, and are threaded into a stationary guard-like annular member 102. The member 102 is concentric with the shaft 24,

has an opening 104, and is supported by the frame 26",

a T=shaped bracket 106 (Fig. 2) fast on the frame 26 being connected to the member 102 by bolts 108. As the gripper 20 revolves, the jaws 42, 52 will accordingly be opened by the heightwise separation of the rolls 86 and 90 until the latch 72 reenters the slot 76. Thereafter the entire gripper assembly 20 is lifted clear of the shoe bottom by engagement of the roll 46 with a stationary arcua'te cam 110 (Figs. 2, 5 and extending substantially one-half of the circumference of the shaft 24 and supported as hereinafter explained. The other three grippers thereafter function successively and similarly on adjacent and contiguous portions of the lasting margin, the sequence of steps in each cycle being restated briefly as folo'ws: (l) Lowering and closing of the jaws '42, 52 for gripping of the erected margin M upon the movement of the roll 46 beyond the cam 110 and the tripping of the latch 72 by engagement of the ear 78 with the finger 80; (2) Application of extra gripping force by means of the wheel 84; (3) Feeding of the shoe combined with tensioning' of the gripped margin heightwis'e, first outwardly and then inwardly for overdrawing action, the cam 92 cooperating with the roll 90 for this purpose; and (4) Opening of the jaws 42, 52 by the cam 94 to release the lasting margin, and ,after the latch 72 looks the jaws in inoperative position, the further lifting of the gripper from the shoe bottom by the'cam 110.

Each wiper 22 (Figs. 7, 8 and 15) comprises a wiper bar 114. extending heightwise of the machine to support, at an upper end, a wiper-lifting cam roll 116, and carrying on its lower extremity a wiper insert 118. The latter has at its foot a rounded and inclined work engaging face 120 the bottom of which is nearly flat. The face 120 is intersected by a flat vertical face 122 (Fig. 8). Just above the line of their intersect-ion (which line is inclined upward toward the shoe bottom as the wiper is operatively advanced) there protrudes from the face 122 the horizontal cutting edge 124 of a sl-itter knife 126 adjustably secured in a bore of the wiper by a set screw 128. The wiper insert 118, when inoperapresentation of the shoe to the machine, as

tive, is held in a "raised position clear of the shoe bottom, a spring-pressed detent 130 (Fig. 7) then being urged into a notch 132 extending transversely of the outer face of the bar 114. The detent 130 is pivotally mounted on a pin 134 supported in alined bores of a bracket 136 screwed to the-shaft portion 38. To permit lowering of the wiper 22 to operative level, the detent 130 is unseated from the notch 132 "by a projection 140 (Figs. 2 and 3) integral with -'a slide 142 extending through the opening 104 in the member 102. The projection 140 is shifted automatically into the .path of the detent 130 for engagement therewith by control means later described, the wiper 22 then being moved downwardly to operative level by a tension spring 144 connecting the bar 114 and the upper retaining ring 66. Preferably the illustrative machine is adjusted so that engagement of the projection 140 with the detent 130 will release the wiper 22 with the result that the wiper face 120 will move arcuately and inwardly over the shoe bottom to engage with downward pressure and with impact that portion ,of the overdrawn lasting margin which is just being released by the preceding gripper 20. This arrangement is generally advantageous in that the stock to be lasted will be under nearly continuous and complete control of the machine and adhesion of the cemented lasting margin to the shoe bottom will be assured As the wiper 22 moves inwardly over the overdrawn lasting margin, the bottom of the insert 118 presses downwardly, thereon under the influence of the spring 144 to smooth the stock and assure its adherence to the platform P. For maintaining successive wipers 22 in their respective lowered work engaging positions while wiping the margin inwardly, the under side of a cam 146 (Figs. 2 and 5.) is arranged for "successive engagement with the rolls 116. i The cam 146 is secured to an arcuate bracket 148 by screws 150, extending through horizontal slots in that bracket, A vertically slotted portion of the bracket 148 receives adjusting screws 152 which are threaded into a bracket 154, bolted to the frame 26. The cam 146 is accordingly adjustable circumferentially of the shaft 24 and heightwise of the shoes to be lasted. For resisting upward thrust of the rolls 116 against the cam 146 a stop screw 155 threaded into the top of the bracket 154 abuts an end of the bracket 148 (Fig. 2)

In wiping the lasting margin inwardly in the shank area of the shoes, it is frequently found, despite .precementing, that a longitudinal stress in the stock, due to curvature of the shoe bottom in this area, prevents the ma"rgin from readily lying flat and conforming to the bottom of a last or platform P. Accordingly, while wiping the overdrawn lasting margin from the marginal edge of 'thejshoe' bottom in the shank area,as indicated in Fig. 13, the slitter knife 126 will automatically penetrate and slit widthwise the stock resistant to wiping action, and thereby improve conformity. The slits are indicated by dotted lines in Fig. '13. i

In order to return the wiper 22 to raised inoperative position wherein the detent 130 is returned to the notch 132, and incidentally to again tension the spring 144, a wedge-shaped cam 156 (Figs -2 and 5) is mounted in the path of the cam rolls 116 for cooperative engagement therewith. The cam 156 is affixed to an arm 158 depending from a bracet 160. A larger -bracket 162 is secured by bolts 164 to the frame 26 (Fig. l) and rotatably receives in a vertical sleeve portion, the shaft 24, the bracket being mounted on a shoulderof said sleeve portion afforded by a reduction in diameter. A horizontal slot 166 in the bracket 160 (Fig. l) receives-a shoulder bolt 1'68 threaded into the bracket 162, thereby permitting the cam 156 to be adjusted circumferentiaily for the purpose of advancing or retarding the lifting of the wiper 22 in a cycle as may be desirable. Secured to the lower end of the sleeve portion of the bracket 162 is the cam 110 the latter being adjustable circumferentially by reason of screws 169 (Figs. 2 and 10) extending through slots in the cam 110 and into said sleeve portion.

Foradjustably limiting downward movement of the wiper 22, ,a spacer 170 (Fig. 7.) has a vertical slot 172 through which a pair of washer carrying set screws extendand are threaded into the bar 114. The top of the spacer1-70 engages astop screw -174 threaded through a lug 17 6 integral with the 'bar 114. Accordingly, the- .screw 174 is used to adjust the spacer 1-70 heightwise.

The lower limit of movement of the wiper 22 is deter-' mined by the bottom of the spacer 170. engaging the top of the enlarged shaft portion 38.

Briefly reviewing the operating cycle of a wiper 22, it is held in elevated inoperative position until the wiper insert 118 has arcuately traveled above the platform P, over the unlasted margin M, and outwardly of the marginal edge of the shoe bottom. As the wiper 22 then moves arcuately and inwardly, it is released. by the-projection 140 tripping the detent 130 so that the face 120 may, with downward irnpact,'engage the tensioned portion of the overdrawn lasting margin just as it is being released by the preceding gripper 20. The wiper 22 continues its inward circular travel, theface 120 pressing the margin downwardly on the platform P- and being held in operative engagement by the under side of the cam 146 cooperating with the roll 116. The'cam 156 thereafter also coacts with the roll 116 to raise-the wiper 22 to inoperative level and complete the cycle. Each successive wiper 22 accordingly follows a preceding gripper to smooth and press the tensioned lasting margin inwardly of the shoe bottom edge as the shoe sively fed along by the gripper.

Power for rotating the drive shaft 24 is derived from the motor 28 connected by an endless belt 180 to the hub of a hand wheel 182 (Fig. 1). The latter is mounted on a stub shaft 184, coupled to a conventional speed reduction mechanism in 'a housing 186 mounted on the frame 26. A shaft 188, driven at suitably reduced speed,

is mounted in bearings journaled in the housing 186 and is received by, and secured to, the tubular end of a shaft 190. A bearing bracket 192 bolted to the top of the frame 26 rotatably supports the other end of the shaft 190 to which is affixed a bevel gear 194 meshing with a gear 196 secured on the upper end of the shaft'24 (Fig. 2). The gear 196 bears on a flat washer 198 (Fig. 2) fitted in a recess formed in the bracket 162 and accordingly serves to support the drive shaft 24 on its fixed axis.

For operating the four-armed wheel84 both rotatively and vertically, two bearing brackets 210, 212 (Fig. 1) are mounted on the frame 26 rotatably .to. support a shaft 214- A gear 216 fast on the shaft 214, is driven by a gear 218 afiixed on the shaft 190. A bevel gear 220 secured to one end of the shaft 214 meshes with a bevel gear 222 secured on a vertical shaft 224, the latter being rotatably mounted in a bearing formed in the bracket 210. The lower end of the shaft 224 has universal swivel connection with a depending shaft 226 also universally connected to a shaft 228. Extendingin a groove formed circumferentially in the shaft 228 is a forked upper end of an angular arm 230 (Fig. '6) mounted on a slotted plate 232. The latter is concentric with the shaft 24 and is adjustable circumferentially, being secured by shoulder bolts 234, 234 (Fig. 1) extending through the plate slots and into a depending bracket236'having its upper end fast on the bracket 160. The plate 232 also supports a fixed cam finger 238 (Fig. 6) provided with an upwardly inclined operating face 240 arranged to engage, one at a time, four spaced and similarly inclined teeth of a ratchet collar 242. The latter is threaded onto a sleeve 244, slidable axially on the lower end of the shaft 228, and a pin 246 integral with the shaft'228 extends into a vertical slot formed in the sleeve to effect its rotation while permitting heightwise movement thereof to the extent caused intermittently by the face 240. Heightwise movement of the shaft 228 is prevented by its grooved locking engagement with the upper end of the arm 230- Upward movement of the sleeve 244, on the lower end of which the four-armed wheel 84 is threaded, is effected against the resistance of a compression spring 248, one end of the spring abutting an end of the shaft 228 and the other spring end abutting a plug 250 threaded into the sleeve 244. A locking collar 252 holds the wheel 84 against a shoulder of the rotating sleeve 244, while the latter is repeatedly raised with the wheel by the successive teeth of the ratchet collar 242 riding upwardly on the finger 238. As soon as a ratchet collar tooth passes over the high point of the cam finger 238, the compressed spring 248 acts to lower the wheel 84 so that one of its arms may engage the roll 86 mounted on the gripper 20 then about to tension the margin to be lasted. The momentary depression of the roll 86 resulting from its engagement with the lowered arm of the wheel 84 causes an extra gripping force to be applied as is pro gres- 'The latter is afiixed to the block 338 by a-bolt 342.

f The latter is rotatably mounted in the lower end of an arm 260 (Figs. 1 and 2) slidably mounted on a fixed bracket- 262 depending from a horizontal arm 264 secured to the frame 26. The arm 260 carries a pin 266 supporting the upper end of a tension spring 268 which is also aflixed to a stationary pin 270 secured to the bracket 262. A set screw 272 adjustably threaded into an upper portion of the arm 260 is alined for contact with the plunger of. a micro-switch 274 supported bythe bracket 262. The. limits of upward and downward movement of the roll 30 are adjustably determined by vertically slotted-plates 276, 278v respectively engageable with opposite sides of the pin 266 and mounted by meansof screws extending through their slots and into the bracket 262. ThQfOOt of .the shaft 24 together with the roll 30 and plow 36 determine a generally horizontal operating plane for thebottom of the platform P, the shank of the plow having adjustable slot and bolt connection with the bracket-262. (Fig. 1) and the set screw 27 2 then contacting the microswitch 274 to close an electric circuit and energize the solenoid 32 (Fig. l). When the solenoid 32 is energized by placing the shoe in operative position a solenoid plunger 280 is retracted or moved to the left as viewed in Fig. l. The plunger is pivotally connected by a link 282 with the lower end of a lever 284 fulcrumed at its upper end to the frame 26. A tension spring 286 also connected to the lower end of the lever- 284 is effective to return the lever when the electrical circuit is opened by subsequent removal of the shoe from operative position, the spring 268 then being permitted to lower the roll 30 and break contact at the micro-switch 274. Movement of the lever 284 on plac ing the shoe in operative position starts the operating cycle by simultaneously actuating several mechanisms now to be described. The edge gage roll 34 is shifted forwardly into operative position, the lever 284 having connection by means of a link 288 with the lower end of a lever 290 pivotally mounted on the frame 26 by a pin 292, and the lever 290 having operative connection in theform of an extensible link 294 with an arm 296 carrying the roll 34 and slidably supported in ways formed in the frame 26. Also, for moving the gripper tripping finger 80 into and out of operative position, the lever 284 (Fig. 16) is connected with a link 300, one end of which is pivoted on an arm 302. An extremity of the latter; is pivotally connected to a link 304 for operating a bell crank 306 pivotally mounted on a plate 308 secured to the frame 26.. The slotted end of the bell crank 306 (Fig. 3) receives a screw 310 threaded into a slide 312 having guideways formed in its opposite sides for accommodating respectively the inturned ends of a pair of-fiat arms 314. The latter are spaced by a projecting portionof a stationary bracket 316 (Fig. 4) secured to the member 102, and a bracket 318 is secured to the slide 312 'by a set screw 320. The finger 80 is integral with a plate 322 mounted on the bracket 318, the plate 322 having an arcuate slot 324 for receiving a shoulder bolt'326 threaded into the bracket 318 so that the finger 80 may becircumferentially adjusted to change the instant when gripping action is to commence. Arms 328, 330 affixed to the plate 308 areengageable with the bell crank 306 to determine the permissible limits of movement of the finger 80 and associated linkage just described.

Another function effected by the actuation of the lever 284 on theflclosing of the switch 274 is the movement of the cam 92 into operative position, the cam 92 being yieldingly raised to engage the rolls and thereby effect tensioning of the lasting margin heightwise of the shoe. For this purpose the upper end of the lever 290 is pivotally connected to one end of a bar 334 (Fig. l), the other end of which is connected to the knee of a toggle 336 that being pivotally connected to a vertical slotted link 34% stop plate 344 attached to the block 338 limits: upward movement of a bracket 346 carrying the cam 92, the bracket 346 (Fig. 17) being. urged yieldingly upward by a bell crank lever 348 (Fig. 1). pivotally mounted on the vertically movable block 338. and having. its ends respectively connected to a tension spring 350 and to a portion 352 (Figs. 2 and 17) of the bracket 346 extending vertically in a guideway formed in the block 338. In order to provide adjustment in the degree of tensioning as well as the yieldability adequate to protect the lasting margin M against excess strain, the spring 350 is connected to a bolt 354 threaded into a knurled knob 356. The latter is rotatably mounted in the bore of an ear fixed to an arm 358 secured to the block 338 (Fig. 2) and is thereby held against. lateral movement when being turned to adjust downward yieldability of the cam 92.

A further result of closing the control switch 274 to actuate the lever 284 is to move the wiper releasing projection 140 and the slide 142 into operative position. The slide 142 is provided with an arcuate slot through which a clamping bolt 360 (Fig. 3) extends and is threaded into a supporting plate 362. The latter is mounted on a bar 364 (Figs. 1 and 16) slidably mounted in a guideway formed in the plate 308. The bar 364 has an angular end portion connected to the arm 302 andcarries a stop screw 366 engageable with the plate 308 to limit movement of the projection 140 in one direction. Thus, the arm 302 being actuated by the lever 284 as aforesaid, the projection 140 is moved into the path of movement of the detents 130 to trip them successively and release the wipers 22 for operation.

Operation of the illustrative machine, after positioning the shoe to be lasted as indicated in Figs. 11 to 13, inclusive, requires but little skill or exertion on the part of an operator, each wiper 22 effectively following a gripper 20 in theirrespective orbital paths to wipe snugly over the shoe bottom the successive portions of the lasting margin which have been tensioned heightwise of the shoe and then inwardly thereof. Each gripper 20, while tensioning the stock to be lasted, moves arcuately outwardly from the shoe. bottom edge and relatively to the work contacting point of the guide roll 34 to clear the lasting margin M of interference from misplaced adhesive and also feeds the shoe by exerting a component of stress in the direction of rotation. The cam 92 acts yieldingly to lift. the closed jaws 42, 52 after they have received the benefit of the extra closing force imparted by the wheel 84, the initially adjusted tension in the spring 350 permitting the cam 92 to be forced downwardly. At the moment the jaws 42, 52 are releasing an overdrawn portion of the lasting margin a wiper 22 is automatically released by the projection 140 to engage an adjacent portion of said margin, the wiper acting under pressure against the shoe bottom and providing, if need be, the widthwise slitting action of the knife 126 to obtain improved conformity of the lasting margin. The lasting progresses counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 13, but since a final short portion of the margin to be lasted may be contiguous with a previously lasted margin which should not be erected or disturbed by the plow 36, the operator, prior to reaching said portion of the lasted margin, will discontinue power lasting by simply lowering the shoe slightly from operative position. He then manually presses the unlasted marginal portion against the underside of a fixed wiper arm 368 (Figs. I and 14) and thereby progressively wipes said margin inwardly while completing the counterclockwise movement of the shoe bottom.

Although the machine hasv been illustrated herein as operating. on the margin of platform cover M to be tensioned and wiped over the platform P of a slip-lasted shoe, it will be understood that, as above stated, such usage is merely by Way of example and the machine is not limited to use on work of this kind. Instead, as will be apparent, the machine may, with no or only slight modification, such as a heightwise adjustment of the edge gage roll 34, be equally well adapted for tensioning, overlaying, and pressing the upper of a conventional shoe. Accordingly, the term lasting machine as employed above. and in the following claims is to be understood as having the meaning commonly understood and accepted by those skilled in the art, which is to say that the term refers to amachine not. onlyfor tensiom'ng and overlaying the wrapper of a slip-lasted shoe but also to a ma 10 chine .for tensioning and overlaying the upper of a con.- ventional shoe.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A lasting machine comprising a plurality of spaced grippers mounted for movement in a circular path about an axis extending heightwise of a shoe to be lasted, means for axially operating each of the grippers in succession to seize, tension heightwise of the shoe, and release ditferent portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, and means operative behind each of said grippers for wiping the tensioned portions of the lasting margin down on the shoe bottom and inwardly from the shoe bottom edge.

2. In a lasting machine having gripping means for heightwise tensioning and overdrawing successive portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a plurality of spaced wipers mounted for movement in a circular path about an axis normal to the shoe bottom, and means for operating said wipers axially in timed relation to the operation of said gripping means to press said overdrawn marginal portions successively against the shoe bottom and inwardly from its edge.

3. In a lasting machine, a plurality of spaced grippers, a plurality of wipers respectively spaced for operation adjacent to each of the grippers, means for moving said grippers. and wipers in circular paths about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, means for axially operating each of the grippers in succession to seize, tension heightwise, and release dilferent portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, and means for axially operating each of the wipers in timed relation to the operation of said grippers to press the tensioned margmal portions successively against the shoe bottom and inwardly from its edge.

4. In a lasting machine, a plurality of spaced grippers mounted for movement in a closed path about an axis extending heightwise of a shoe to be lasted, each of said grippers being provided with a pair of cooperative jaws, means for moving the grippers axially as they rotate to cause successive pairs of said jaws to seize, tension heightwise of the shoe, and release different portions of the lastmg margin of stock to be lasted, and means adjacent to the. respective pairs of jaws and operative in timed relation to the axial movement of said grippers for wiping the tensioned portions of the lasting margin down on the shoe bottom and inwardly from its edge.

5. In a lasting machine, a plurality of spaced grippers revolvable about a common axis extending heightwise of a shoe to be lasted, each of said grippers being provided with a pair of cooperative jaws one of which is fixed relatively to the other jaw and nearer to said axis, means for moving the grippers axially to cause successive pairs of rotating aws to seize, tension heightwise of the shoe, and release different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a plurality of revolvable wipers respectively ad acent to the pairs of jaws, and means .for moving successrve wipers axially in timed relation to the axial movement of said grippers for wiping the tensioned portions of the lasting margin down on the shoe bottom and inwardly from its edge.

6. In a lasting machine, a plurality of spaced grippers revolvable about a common axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, each of said grippers being provided with a pair of pivotally related and cooperative jaws, means for moving the grippers axially while they rotate to cause successive pairs of said jaws to tension heightwise of the shoe and release inwardly of its edge different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, and means operative in time relation to the axial movement of said grippers for wiping the tensioned marginal portions down on the shoe bottom and inwardly from its edge as they are released.

7. In a lasting machine, a plurality of spaced gripping jaws revolvable about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, means for guiding an edge of the bottom of said shoe widthwise with respect to the operative path of the spaced jaws, a plurality of pivotally mounted jaws cooperatively related, respectively, to the spaced jaws and revolvable concentrically therewith, means for successively jawsaxially to tension heightwise of the shoe, feed and release difierent portions of the lasting margin of stockto be lasted, a plurality of rotary wipers concentrically moving the pairs of cooperative mounted and arranged, respectively, to follow each pair of jaws, and means for successively moving said wipers axially in timed relation to the tensioning action of the preceding pair of jaws to wipe the different'marginal portions against the shoe bottom and widthwise there- 8. In a lasting machine, a plurality of revolvable and axially movable grippers, each gripper beingprovided with a pair of cooperative jaws for tensioning heightwise of a shoe the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a plurality of revolvable and axially movable wipers respectively arranged to operate behind successive pairs of jaws, a member engageable with the bottom of the shoe for limiting its heightwise movement with respect to the operative paths of said jaws and wipers, and means engageable with the side of the shoe for guiding the edge of its bottom widthwise of saidoperative paths, said member being mounted adjacent to said guiding means and in advance of said. grippers to erect the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted for the successive tensioning action of said cooperative jaws.

9. In a lasting machine, a plurality of grippers'mounted for arcuate movement about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, each of said grippers comprising a pair of cooperative and axially movable jaws, a plurality of arcuately movable wipers arranged concentrically with said painrs of jaws, means for moving successive pairs of jaws axially to tension heightwise of the shoe, and to release inwardly from the edge of its bottom, different portions of the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted, means engageable with-the side of the shoe to guide its bottom edge, widthwise with respect to the arcuate operating .path of said jaws, and means for successively moving said wipers axially to press the different tensioned marginal portions against the shoe bottom while wiping them inwardly from'the edge there- 10. In a lasting machine having a plurality of gripping means movable in a path for tensioning heightwise of a shoe and overdrawing successivef'portlons of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a plurality of spaced wipers mounted respectively for operative movement in a path adjacent to that of ,the gripping means and extending inwardly and widthwise of the shoe bottom, and a knife carried by the respective wipers having a cutting edge arranged to slit widthwise an overdrawn portion of the tensioned lasting margin.

11. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis normal to a shoe bottom and means for moving vsaid grippers successively to tension heightwise of the shoe different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, means for wiping the different tensioned portions against the shoebottom and inwardly from its edge, and slitter knives carried bysaid wiping means for penetrating widthwise during the wiping operation those portions not readily conforming to the shoe bottom.

12. In a lasting machine, a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, each gripper comprising. a pair of cooperative jaws, means for successively moving thepairs of jaws axially to seize and tension heightwise of the shoe diiferent portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a member cooperative with each of said grippers successively to urge each pair of jaws into tighter gripping relation immediately after they have seizedtheir respective marginal portions to be tensioned, and'means for wiping the different tensioned portions, down on the shoe bottom and inwardly from its edge.

13. In a lasting machine, a gripper for tensioning the stock to be lasted, said gripper having a .pair of relatively movable jaws, means for effecting relative movement of said jaws to cause them to closenon the lasting margin of the'stock to be lasted, and power means arranged to act with impact on thejaws before the gripper exerts any substantial tension on said stock, said power means operating to obtain a more effective pur-' chase on the lasting margin.

14. In a lasting machine, a'gripper fortensioning the stock to be lasted, said gripper having a pair of rela-.

tively movable jaws,- means 'for effecting relative move: ment of said jaws to cause them to close on'the lasting margin of the stock to be lasted, and power means ar ranged to strike with impacta' portion of .the gripper associated with one of "the'jawsto urge said jaw'fur-- ther into closing relation with the other jaw before any substantial tension is exerted on the lasting margin. I

, 15. In a lasting machine, a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, each gripper comprising a pair of jaws one of which is pivotally and cooperatively related to the other, means for successively moving the grippers axially to cause said pairs of jaws to seize, tension heightwiseof the shoe and overdraw different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, mechanism engageable with the successive grippers when a portion of the margin has been seized for actuating said pivotal jaw into-closer cooperative relation with the other, a plurality of rotary wipers respectively adjacent to said grippers and mounted for axial movement, and means for successively moving said wipers axially to press the different overdrawn marginal portions against theshoe bottom.

- 16. In a lasting machine, a drive shaft, a plurality of grippers operatively connected thereto for movement in a closed path, each of said grippers comprising a pair of cooperatively related jaws, means for movingsuccessive grippers axially of the shaft to cause said jaws to tension heightwise of a shoe and overdraw difierent portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a plurality of wipers operatively connected to said shaft and respectively arranged to operate on the different overdrawn portions behind successive pairs of jaws, and a guide roll engageable with the side of the shoe to position its bottom edge face laterally of the path of said aws.

17. In a lasting machine, a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis normalto a shoe bottom, each of said grippers comprising a pair of jaws cooperatively related, means for movingsuccessive grippers axially to cause the pairs of jaws to tension heightwise of the shoe and overdraw different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, mechanism associated with said means for yielding in response to the reactionary pull of said tensioned portions 011 the pairs of jaws to relievesaid portions of excessive strain during theheightwise tensioning' and overdrawing of the lasting margin, and means operating adjacent to the respective grippers for wiping the overdrawn portions inwardly of the shoe bottom edge.

18. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers rotatably and axially movable to tension heightwise of a shoe difierent portions of the lasting margin of stock to-be lasted, a plurality of wipers respectively axially movable each behind one of said grippers to press the different portions of the lasting margin down on the shoebottom and inwardly from its edge, means for moving successive grippers axially at predetermined times in their respective cycles, means for moving successive wipers axially in time relation to the preceding gripper, and a holddown member engageable with the shoe bottom and displaceable upon presentation of the shoe to operative position to control actuation of both of said means.

19. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers, a plurality'of wipers respectively spaced for operation one adjacent to each of the grippers, means for revolving said grippers and Wipers about an axis normal to the bottomvof a shoe to be lasted, means for axially operating each of the grippers in succession to seize, tension heightwise and release different portions 'of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, and means for rendering successive wipers operative to engage and press the tensioned marginal portions against the shoe bottom.

20. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis and arranged successively to tension heightwise of a shoe and overdraw different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a plurality of wipers spaced circumferentially for arcuate movement behind the respective grippers, means for urging said wipers successively to engage with impact and press against the shoe bottom the different overdrawn portions of the lasting margin, and a fixed member arranged to cooperate with each wiper after its engagement with impact positively to maintain its wiping contact with the different portions of the lasting margin.

a 21. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, means for moving successive grippers axially to tension heightwise of the shoe, overdraw and release difierentportions' of the lasting margin of stockto be lasted, a plurality of circumferentially spaced wipers revolvably and axially movable, means for successively moving said wipers axially into operative relation with the diiferent overdrawn portions of the lasting margin, each of said wipers carrying cutting means for penetrating said marginal portions Widthwise from an edge of the shoe bottom, and a member thereafter cooperative with each wiper to remove its operative face and said cutting means from the shoe bottom.

22. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers revolvable about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, a plurality of wipers concentrically mounted for operation behind the respective grippers, means engageable with the shoe bottom and displaceable heightwise of the shoe for determining its operative level with respect to the grippers and wipers, means for moving successive grippers axially to tension heightwise and release difierent portions of the lasting margin, means for holding the grippers spaced from the shoe bottom while inoperative, means for axially moving successive wipers in predetermined time relation to the axial movements of the grippers to press the different marginal portions against the shoe bottom, and means for holding the wipers spaced from the shoe bottom while inoperative, said displaceable shoe-bottom-engaging means being effective upon presentation of the shoe to operative position to control both the respective means for moving said successive grippers and wipers axially.

23. In a lasting machine having a plurality of circumferentially spaced grippers revolvable about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, a shoe-engaging member displaceable by presentation of the shoe to operative position to determine the operative height of said grippers above the shoe bottom, said grippers being successively movable axially to tension heightwise of the shoe the different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, a cam movable into operative relation with the grippers successively to shift them axially, and control means for automatically rendering said cam operative, said control means being rendered operative by displacement of said shoe engaging member.

24. A lasting machine as set forth in claim 23 further characterized in that a yieldable member is associated with said cam whereby it acts impositively on the successive grippers to relieve the difierent marginal portions of excessive heightwise tensioning stresses.

25. A lasting machine as set forth in claim 23 further characterized in that said machine is provided with an edge guide roll that is automatically shifted into operative position on displacement of said shoe-engaging member by presentation of the shoe to its operative position.

26. In a lasting machine having a plurality of grippers, a plurality of wipers respectively spaced for operation one adjacent to each of the grippers, means for revolving said grippers and wipers about an axis normal to the bottom of a shoe to be lasted, means for axially operating each of the grippers in succession, to seize, tension heightwise and release different portions of the lasting margin of stock to be lasted, and means including a spring associated with each of said wipers to efiect the successive wiping engagements with said marginal portions with impact.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 472,599 Avery Apr. 12, 1892 2,166,936 Bessom July 25, 1939 2,305,682 Eastman Dec. 22, 1942 2,455,969 Baker Dec. 14, 1948 

